Two days after lifting a closure order on the Lambda Cabaret, Northern Health ordered the Prince George nightclub closed again.
The nightclub, which opened in violation of provincial public health orders earlier this month, was first ordered closed by Northern Health on Feb. 9. The club continued to operate, in defiance of the closure order.
Northern Health rescinded the closure order on Feb. 17, following a change in provincial public health orders allowing bars and clubs to reopen. There are no capacity limits and dancing and other normal activity is allowed, however bars are required to check proof of vaccination and require mask wearing.
On Saturday, Northern Health ordered Lambda Cabaret closed again regarding “Proof of Vaccination and face coverings in indoor public spaces compliance,” according to Northern Health’s website.
“Our public health team will be continuing to pursue enforcement and related penalties for any recent non-compliance and be monitoring for compliance with the public health orders that are going forward and taking any necessary enforcement action to reduce any risk to public health,” Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins said in a statement issued last week.
Starting roughly when the Freedom Convoy converged on Ottawa and a rally in support was held at Exhibition Park, Lambda Cabaret opened its doors. Club owners posted videos onto its Facebook page showing patrons dancing in a crowd with some appearing to consume alcohol from brightly coloured buckets with straws, none of them wearing masks.
Northern Health says where establishments don’t immediately come into compliance with public health orders, it pursues progressive enforcement measures from education, up to and include warning letters, tickets and closure letters.
Enforcement of public health orders is also being supported by provincial enforcement officers from other agencies authorized to issue violation tickets.
Lambda’s liquor license was also previously suspended, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General confirmed to the Citizen on Feb. 14.
"If LCRB (Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch) observes a pattern of contraventions or recklessness in defying public health orders, more serious censures may result including licence cancellation," the ministry added.
It was not clear, as of Tuesday night, if Lambda Cabaret’s liquor licence had been suspended again.
- with files from Mark Nielsen, Lindsay William Ross and Hanna Petersen
